Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world, and yes, the fastest growing sport in Peachtree City. Pickleball is easy to learn and fun to play. It offers tremendous exercise, hand-eye coordination, and great competition. With socialization as a primary component of the sport, and men and women playing as equals, once you start playing and all the parts of this game kick in, you are hooked and you want to play as often as possible.

One of the best things about pickleball is its inclusiveness. Anybody can play, couch-potatoes to athletes, youth to 80+ year olds, men, women, couples – everybody will find players at their level who will welcome them on the court. Many couples find pickleball a wonderful activity they can share. Players meet new players and old friends every time they play. New players are drawn to the physical benefits, social contact, and competition of pickleball. These are the very reasons for the explosion of popularity and the reason Peachtree City needs more courts.

Peachtree City just got the results of the long awaited Recreation Master Plan. Among the many recommendations were that the city provide more dedicated courts for resident pickleball players. This was not a surprise. When compared to neighboring cities, Peachtree City comes up short. Our 41,000 citizens have only 6 dedicated courts at Braelinn Loghouse. Newnan, with only about 2000 more residents, has 15 dedicated courts at the HOP, and plans to build 6 more. Tyrone, a town of 7,600, has 8 new courts. Griffin, with 24,000 residents, has 18 pickleball courts. Peachtree City’s 6 courts are always packed, and many Peachtree City players must travel to these neighboring cities to play pickleball, where they spend money on meals, snacks, and gas before heading home – tax dollars lost to Peachtree City. Cities around Fayette County have recognized the needs of their citizens and have supported pickleball in their communities.

Peachtree City residents will have the opportunity to join private venues to play pickleball in the next year. Two companies, Let’s Go Pickleball, and Ace Pickleball, will provide beautiful places to play indoors. Many residents will join these clubs, and pay their monthly dues. Many residents, however, do not have the disposable income for such luxuries, but still want the opportunity to play this incredible sport outdoors at no cost. The Recreation Master Plan revealed that pickleball was the preferred sport for almost every age group. Let’s listen to Peachtree City citizens and provide courts, free of charge to play. Our city can’t drop the ball on this responsibility.

PTC-Fayette Pickleball Club
President, Loyd Smith